The 2026–27 international women’s ice hockey season kicked off with high drama, intense competition, and a glimpse into a shifting European landscape as the Women’s Euro Hockey Tour (WEHT) descended on the SWISS Arena in Kloten, Switzerland.
With the World Championship looming on the horizon, the opening tournament in Kloten offered a fascinating testing ground. Featuring new coaching philosophies across multiple benches and a fierce battle for supremacy, it ultimately concluded with Sweden hoisting the tournament trophy after a stellar weekend.
Sweden beats Finland to win the first stage of WEHT.
Tournament Standings & Highlights
1st Place: Sweden
2nd/3rd/4th: host Switzerland, Finland, and Czechia, (in a tightly contested battle where all four teams secured at least one victory).
A Bold New Era for Host Switzerland Under Shannon Miller
For the host nation, the tournament marked the beginning of an exciting chapter under newly appointed head coach Shannon Miller. The Swiss squad showed remarkable grit, capturing hearts in Kloten with an energetic start.
The Openers: Switzerland opened their campaign in style with a convincing 4-2 victory over Sweden, followed by a thrilling 4-3 overtime win against Finland. Down late in regulation against the Finns, captain Lara Stalder delivered the clutch equalizer with just under two minutes remaining before setting up Alina Müller for the overtime winner.
The Finale & Injury Scare: The dream of a clean sweep on home ice was halted in the final match against Czechia, where the Swiss fell 1-2. Compounding the loss was an injury scare to Stalder—who led the team with three goals and two assists—following a collision late in the second period. Though precautionary, her absence stymied a late-game Swiss comeback that saw Leonie Balzer pull one back.
Despite the closing defeat, securing two tournament victories signaled a massive step forward for Swiss women’s hockey under Miller’s leadership.
Sweden Grabs the Crown
Sweden navigated the four-nation gauntlet with tactical discipline and resilience. After an initial stumble against the host Swiss, the Tre Kronor bounced back in commanding fashion. A textbook 2-0 shutout victory over Finland late in the weekend cemented Sweden’s defensive resolve and propelled them to the top of the Kloten standings, proving they will be a formidable force heading deeper into the Euro Hockey Tour season.
Czechia and Finland Show Elite Depth
Czechia experienced a roller-coaster week, opening with a tight loss to Finland but finishing strong. Their disciplined 2-1 victory over Switzerland in the finale showcased their ability to grind out low-scoring, high-stakes games.
Finland showcased their trademark speed and offensive flair early on, with veteran leadership anchoring special teams and pacing the tournament’s scoring charts before dropping a couple of tight decisions down the stretch.
Looking Ahead
With all four teams capturing at least one win, the Kloten tournament underscored how narrow the margins have become between Europe’s top four hockey nations. As teams adapt to new systems and integrate rising talent, the 2026–27 WEHT season promises to be the most competitive yet on the road to global competition.
